IMAGINE a circus ringmaster and the chances are you’ll picture a plump man with a handlebar moustache wearing a top hat, gloves and garishly-coloured coattails.

A charismatic MC cracking his bullwhip and bellowing hyperbolic phrases like “the death-defying… the most amazing… the most spectacular…”

This stereotyped image, however, has virtually vanished.

Today, they’re more likely to be astute women overseeing every aspect within the circus. Take Jade Dunbar for instance. Born and brought up in the circus, the Pirates of the Carabina production manager likes to dress in black and be unnoticed.

She says: “The way a circus ringmaster used to be was as a compere – to host and keep a fast-changing order of shows moving smoothly.

“Now, newer circuses have far more structure and the ringmaster is invisible, either working backstage, or built into the show as a low-key character with minimal audience interaction. The character I’m currently playing [in Flown] requires me to be slightly less conspicuous on-stage.”

Boo Johnstone (Image: David Johnstone)

Boo Paterson, 42, from Dundee, who works for award-winning circus sideshow La Clique and The Famous Spiegeltent, says she fell into the circus “by accident”.

She retains the vintage clothing image of the traditional ringmaster. However, as the glamorous face of La Clique, she’s not afraid to get stuck in with her high heels either.

Boo says: “We try to keep things as vintage as possible, so I still holler ‘Welcome to The Famous Spiegeltent, ladies and gentlemen, step right this way!’ over the sound of Entrance of the Gladiators, the classic circus music. I do everything from polishing all the mirrors and the wood, to putting out the chairs and stacking them at the end of the night, and front-of-house – as well as my ‘official’ job as director of press.”

Ex-circus performer Zoe Munn does things a little bit differently at NoFit State Circus. After having her second child, Zoe stopped physical performance and moved more fully into management and organisation.

Zoe says: “My role is more a tour manager and producer. I book the show, arrange the grounds, hire and manage the company, look after the finances and keep the show on the road.

“There are over 50 of us – a big family to keep happy.

(Image: David Johnstone)

“Our show doesn’t have a traditional ringmaster – or a ring, or any seats.

“The audience is standing up and immersed in the action. They can take up a different position if they choose and no two show experiences are the same.”

All three women are currently working on shows during the Edinburgh Fringe and their day-to-day roles can seem a world away from those working 9 to 5.

As Zoe says, no day is the same: “I expect the unexpected – that keeps me on my toes.”

Jade agrees: “It is hectic, physically enduring and stressful. For me, it’s the joy of being able to create an environment where you can take people to another place full of promise and magic.”

For Boo, it varies too.

She said: “I get up at 8am and do the PR until about 7pm. Then I do my hair, make-up, stick on my vintage clothes and go up to the tent to do front-of-house and welcome the press.

“When the doors open, that’s when I go into ringmaster mode. Once the show is over, my colleagues and I have about 15 minutes to clear the room of 250 folding chairs. I try to leave by 1am and go home to finish sending emails and pictures to journalists until about 2am.”

Everyone loves the circus. It’s a part of growing up, and for some, their first exposure to theatre.

It all begs the question: how do people react to powerful women running the circus?

Jade said: “They see me as a woman in a position of strength. People envisage it as glamorous and sexy. Sometimes they feel envy at the diverse range of things I do and places I go. They often say they love the idea but couldn’t cope with it themselves.”

Zoe doesn’t usually tell strangers what she does.

When she does, it can be a “bit of a conversation stopper in the hairdressers”.

(Image: David Johnstone)

Zoe says: “They expect you to immediately jump up and start swinging through the air.

“Sometimes it’s nice to be incognito after so many shows.”

Naturally, people want to know about Boo’s sophisticated attire.

She said: “They usually ask if there’s a wardrobe department out the back where we get our clothes. When I’m in full clobber, usually people want a photo. Occasionally, some people point and laugh.”

Being part of the circus literally has its ups and downs.

As Boo suggests, you have to take the rough with the smooth. She says: “A highlight was going on a three-month tour of Australia with the tent during the depths of the British winter.”

But she adds: “When we’re on a run, my back and feet are usually in constant pain due to working in high heels all night and stacking chairs over my head. But we all power through and help each other along.”

Jade, 40, cites the spectacularly dramatic as an early highlight.

She says: “Two sword swallowers came up with welding two sword blades together while one performer – the Space Cowboy – was suspended by his ankles. He would swallow one end of the sword, while the other, Lucky Rich, would stand on stage and swallow the other end.”

And Zoe? “I see people do incredibly dangerous things. I don’t want to become immune to that.”

Life on the road can make maintaining relationships hard.

Boo said: “My friends and family know they won’t hear from me during a run, but I’ll call when it’s over. The crew are great, we are a little Spiegel family for a month, cut off from the real world.”

For Zoe, in her late 30s, it’s simple – she takes her partner with her. “My partner is in the show and our two children tour with us. I think it would be very difficult if it wasn’t this way.”

Jade’s partner has a job that means he cannot tour with her.

But she said: “I am really lucky to have a husband who accepts my chosen career path, although he still doesn’t fully understand it – even after being together for over 20 years.”